PROBLEMS OF THE FARMER.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20636, 27 August 1932, Page 16

PROBLEMS OF THE FARMER.

REORGANISING PRIMARY INDUSTRIES. A COMMISSION SUGGESTED. ' isrxciAi, to tjte jmss.) TIMAEU, August 26. Representatives of farming interests in South Canterbury, including the Farmers' Union Crown Tenants' Association, sheepowners, dairy-farmers, the Returned Soldiers' Association, and members of Parliament met in conference in Timaru to-day, and discussed the question of urging the Government to set up a primary industry reorganisation commission. The objective was stated to be: —

(a) A complete and penetrative investigation into all matters connected with primary industries; (b) further drastic action to reduce cost of production; (c) to arrest the apparent deterioration and statistically confirmed depletion of the flocks and herds of the Dominion; (d) to raise considerably the standard of production and to increase the volume of exports; (e) , the development of primary industries, and more especially those where expansion would provide greatly increased employment; (f) by inaugurating co-opera-tive organisation and by statesmanlike legislation to eliminate the importation of all farm. products which New Zealand farms, farmers, and other workers were capable of producing, the wheat, poultry, pig, and flourtmilling industries being emphasised. Mr P. R. Talbot, president, of the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers' Union, presided. Messrs J. Bitchener, T. D. Burnett, and Clyde Carr, members of Parliament, were also in attendance. The chairman said that at present conditions looked black for farmers, and there were no immediate signs of improvement. During last season South Canterbury arid North Otago had experienced a severe drought, and prices of produce had dropped, so that overhead costs, would have to be rearranged. They wanted all the farmers to be of one- mind, and thus assist the- Government in its efforts.

Mr D. C. Kidd, president of the Grown Tenants' Association, explained tho attitude of his association. It was up to every man with the welfare of the country at heart to keep his farm in order and refrain Irom spending money as much as possible. The mercantile firms were giving groat assistance. Land Valuations. The most important thing to- deal with was tho high values of land. Settlers wero up against it through no fault of their own. Ho would riot suggest a revaluation on present-day prices, but that tho land be revalued on the productive prices ruling. Mr Whitman suggested an agricultural bank with a limited note issue. The quota system arrived at at Ottawa was not going to help matters at all. Mr O. H. Johnston, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association, discussed the question of reducing land values. South Canterbury, he said, was rated on an unimproved Value higher than Southland and South A reduction in thV untaproved valtt»; „would be of great* assntaifce. , \•! Mr Talbot paid the only ; way ous of the difficulty was to reduce the costs of production. Mr T. D. Burnett,, M.P., wanted to know what form the investigation would take. Everyone was seized with the serious position confronting the Dominion, and was willing to make any reasonable sacrifice. ,Mr T. Macdonald, who had sponsored the motion when it first came before the Farmers' Union, explained that they were asking the Government to set up a Commission. Salaries and wages were two of the items in overhead charges which, if they were reduced, would assist primary industry. Another item was interest. During ! tho past two years the flocks of the Dominion had been reduced by 2,000,000. If the dairying industry was extended the pig industry would also be extended, as would tho sale of the byj products of wheat.

Loan Conversions. Mr A. F. Campbell asked whether the Government was making any effort to scale down interest, and to convert oxternal and internal loans. This had been done in England. Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., said the levaluation of all farm lands was an important thing. He had endeavoured to get the Prime Minister or the Hon. E. A. Eansom to come to Timaru, but had been unsuccessful. , The only hope he could see of redress was to get members of the Cabinet down, and bring them face to face with the problems of the district. It was quite false to try to make it appear that and mortgagees are in different classes. If the mortgagors', interest were reduced the load would only be shifted to the mortgagee. Regarding the overseas loan, he had heard that a reduction of one-half per cent, would be worth £2,000,000 to the Dominion. He thought that pressure should be brought to bear on the Government to convert the loan.

A General Meeting. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., said he had been trying to persuade the Minister , for Landa to come to Timaru for two years. He could remember in the 'Bo's when people in Timaru were living on boiled wheat. He suggested that the various interests should hold a meeting, and the results could be placed before the local members of Parliament before the session. All classes should make common cause against Auckland; If the wheat duties went, they all should strive for freo trade, and give the northerners ■ something of their own medicine. Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., said if something concrete was put before them tha members of Parliament would be only too eager to further the farmers' interests. It was decided that a committee, consisting of representatives of the Farmers' Union, Crown Tenants' Association, dairying industry, freezing works, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, commercial firms, Retailers ' Association, sheepowners, Eeturned Soldiers' Association, banks, Chamber of Commerce, Labour unions, Employers' Association, legal and medical professions, and tho trained nurses Should be convened to discuss the problem. , ■